The West Wing, season 5

FOUR-STAR EPISODES: 5
AVERAGE EPISODE RATING: 3.1
-7A WF 83429 ****
It would be hard to overstate the importance of Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme to THE WEST WING. Of course, that seems half-patently obvious. Sorkin was the visionary and the voice. Once things are clicking, you can go on without the former, but the latter? When STAR TREK lost Roddenberry, they only lost their visionary. And Schlamme was, for lack of a better metaphor, the show's body. He gave the voice its look. Losing these two, due to squabbles with the studio, can only be compared in television history to Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds leaving M*A*S*H. The fact that both shows survived, even thrived, reduces the second-guessing to fodder for fan debates. And John Wells becomes Burt Metcalfe, promoted from in-house to guide the show once the horse (or camel) has left the one-bactrian town. Did the studio bring shame upon its house by allowing this pair to leave? Yeah. But what cannot be doubted is that Wells was the right choice. Welcome to "7A WF 83429", darkly and disquietingly shot, the combustible part three of a four-episode arc. Imagine Stephen King writing half a novel, then asking you to finish. This episode simmers, as Walken (John Goodman) replaces Jed, his finger on the trigger of massive military retaliations against Qumar (never mind that Zoey's kidnappers are still unknown). Is it possible that Goodman single-handedly elevated this one into greatness, assuring a nervous fan base that the show would survive? Yes. Not to diminish the fantastic contributions of the regular cast, but with any other actor in the Walken role, this episode, season, and series could have gone a whole different way.
-The Dogs of War ****
Zoey's kidnapping goes into its second day. Walken orders bombings and ground forces in Qumar. The staff (and Josh particularly) are going crazy with fear that Walken will start legislating a right wing agenda. How is it that we had to wait for season 5 to meet the President's eldest daughter?? Hello, Liz Bartlet (Annabeth Gish - DESERT BLOOM, MYSTIC PIZZA), in the second of six fine appearances. A wonderful Walken/Fiderer scene. The debut of Jesse Bradford (ROMEO + JULIET, HACKERS) as irritating intern Ryan Pierce, who would do nine episodes. He's obvious comic relief here, but will become a little more. This kidnapping arc finale isn't as brilliant as its predecessors, but is pushed into greatness by Goodman and the images of a family reunited.
-Jefferson Lives ***
With Jed back in the Oval, the search for a Veep goes into high gear. The choice candidate is Sec. of State Berryhill (the second of two fine appearances by William Devane - KNOT'S LANDING). A contentious congress will only approve a stiff who threatens no one. Welcome, Bingo Bob! Gary Cole (THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE, OFFICE SPACE) would go on to log twenty-one fine episodes. Abbey blames Jed and Leo for the kidnapping, and takes Zoey to New Hampshire. Josh and Amy spark some fine sexuality again, dammit.
-Han ****
One of the most exquisitely poignant guest turns in show history elevates this one to a lofty place. The aforementioned sentence is an example of the rhetoric Will and Toby struggle to bestow upon new Vice President Russell in the President's welcome speech. The "honest" version they perversely write for themselves ends up on the prompter by mistake. Pretty hysterical. A north korean pianist (Tony Lee - LOST) plays a recital in the White House, under the glare of military guard. He communicates to Jed his desire to defect, which could destabilize a nuclear treaty. The music of Bach and Chopin is achingly beautiful, and Tony's performance will tear your heart. Russell asks Will to be his Communications Director and senior adviser...a move that feels way too soon given that Will has been Deputy for only half a season. It sets up the series-ending election to come. But did he have more potential in the inner circle?
-Constituency of One ***
The single most unrelentingly bleak episode of WEST WING. Ever. Every character is receiving or dispensing misery. It's all tightly-written and acted, but...if ever we needed Rip Taylor, it's now. We do, however, have a little...Skeritt! Tom (M*A*S*H, ALIEN) drops in for a one-off as a democratic senator who switches partys. Will's defection to Russell is a done deal. This move would have felt less clumsy if they'd had a scene of Leo overruling Toby's protests, allowing Will to go because Russell (the second-most important person in the land) needed much more capable handling.
-Disaster Relief ***
Jed goes to Oklahoma to console tornado survivors, and stays overlong as he deals with his own demons of tragedy and loss. He has a very touching scene with a woman washing dishes. Josh deals with the fallout from some bad judgment. Ryan has a dandy episode, showing unexpected depth and understanding. Bradford is thoroughly capable, playing a well-crafted role, but the magic of chemistry doesn't quite strike, and he'll be soon gone. The debut of Terry O'Quinn (PRIMAL FEAR, TOMBSTONE) as General Alexander, the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He's fine, but never reaches Fitz's level of juice.
-Separation of Powers ***
Ancient, ailing Chief Justice Ashland (Milo O'Shea - BARBARELLA, THE VERDICT) ends up in intensive care, prompting Toby to send Joe, Ashland's former clerk, to ascertain whether he needs to step down. Joe balks, then covers for his former boss. The third of six episodes for Angela Blake (Michael Hyatt), a political operative who takes over Josh's legislative responsibilities. It can be easy to think that no WEST WING character ever derailed as unceremoniously as Mandie, but i guess every new executive producer gets one character that hits the ground splatting. Again through no fault of the acting or writing...but that's just the way these things go. Her character was probably designed to flame out, of course, but that's neither here nor there. Speaker Jeff Haffley (Steven Culp - THIRTEEN DAYS, ENTERPRISE) takes advantage of the President's weak approval ratings to push an ultra-conservative budget agenda. Steven would do nine episodes, and never miss a beat. Threatened with a government shutdown, Jed calls his bluff.
-Shutdown ***
The fatal flaw in this one (and it's such a fun ride you probably won't even care) is that the scene where Jed wins his one-on-one showdown with Haffley, cuts away early. It's easy to imagine this choice was made because the writers had no idea how they would realistically get to where they needed to go. But we'll allow that conceit, as it gets our heroes back on their feet. Much of this, including an unprecedented visit to the Hill by the presidential party, is orchestrated by comeback kid Josh. Russell has some surprisingly good moments. And the star of the show? Debut character Rina (Melissa Marsala), the mysterious sexpot who cleans the place up while all support staff are required by law to be away. She would do six episodes, but the producers would piss away her potential, including (and especially) her tantalizing chemistry with Toby.
-Abu el Banat ***
Another worthy entry in the WEST WING yule-a-thon! The presidential family gathers for Christmas dinner at the White House...sort of. Jed is stuck in a meeting, Ellie arrives even later, and people are coming and going as family drama swirls, most of it over Liz and her husband Doug Westin (Steven Eckholdt - THE L WORD), who comes to Josh seeking the President's endorsement in a run for congress. The DNC has another candidate in mind, and Josh miserably tries to get this message across. Steven would do five episodes, and have some great moments. The most whopping scene in this one is between Jed and Liz, when a family's past and present come thudding together.
-The Stormy Present ***
A former President dies. Bartlet, Walken, and former President Newman (James Cromwell - SIX FEET UNDER, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT) travel together on Air Force One to the funeral, while a crisis inflames the Middle East. Exhilarating, nuanced acting between this grand triumvirate. C.J. speaks to a nebbishy scientist (Steven Tobolowsky, GROUNDHOG DAY) about government mind control experiments. Mallory (Allison Smith - KATE & ALLIE, HELTER SKELTER) drops in for her first post-Seaborn appearance, and her evening attire may detach your eyes from their sockets. Toby gets a snootful trying to write an impossible eulogy, and sings "Suicide is Painless".
-The Benign Prerogative ***
A fascinating episode which gives us a full ride on the only non-Zoey romance of Charlie's WW life. A journalist graduate (Gabrielle Union, BRING IT ON) turns his head, and he shares White House tales, only to find that she already has a press corps job lined up. Nice chemistry. A little more fleshing out would have been nice. Jed considers presidential pardons and the carnage that mandatory minimums have wreaked on people's lives (and taken discretionary power away from judges). Donna has to research the possible pardonees, becoming emotionally involved. And Joey Lucas is pregnant!
-Slow News Day ***
Toby gets Jed's permission to explore saving social security. He gets two opposition senators together, but it all blows up, endangering his job. Good drama, and like the best of season 1, strongly educative on an important issue. Fine supporting turns from Josef Sommer (WITNESS) and Michael Nouri (FLASHDANCE). C.J. has one of her most enjoyable flirtations ever with an argentinian diplomat (Joaquim de Almeida - CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER).
-The Warfare of Ghengis Khan ***
The space episode. Josh swats down NASA reps appealing for more funds. One of them (Christina Chang, 24) has a gentle flirtation with him, takes him stargazing, and makes him dream of humans on Mars. Elsewhere, an orbital detonation has the nuclear community scrambling to find out who's joined the club, but it turns out to be Israel developing submarine warfare. The israeli prime minister (the debut of the exquisite Armin Mueller-Stahl - THE LAST GOOD TIME, THE LONG RUN) is summoned to the White House, and has a grand scene with Martin. Vice President Russell is great as the clueless fool who figures out what's going on and prevents a military assault on Iran. Jay Mohr (JERRY MAGUIRE) debuts as ultra-conservative talk show hack Taylor Reid, who baits C.J. mercilessly. The story and music of Blind Willie Johnson ("Dark Was the Night") are rendered beautifully.
-An Khe ***
These days, the typical Hollywood political intrigue/action film is conspicuously less well-written than even a second-rate WEST WING episode like this, a bizarre reversal of fortune from the days of the original MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (in other words, if the TV/movie incarnations of MI had been reversed, it might have been one of the most intelligent franchises of all time). This episode is a beautiful effort, bouncing back and forth from the corrupt intrigues of a defense contractor friend of Leo's (Jeffrey DeMunn, THE GREEN MILE), back to the time when they were shot down in Vietnam, and Leo's life was saved. Philip Baker Hall (BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA) debuts as a grizzled senator. Brian Kerwin (MURPHY'S ROMANCE, KING KONG LIVES) debuts as a bewitching, bothering park ranger from C.J.'s past. A touching version of "My Country 'tis of Thee", by Crosby & Nash, lends emotional texture to Leo's despair.
-Full Disclosure ***
Vice President Hoynes resurfaces with a tell-all book, trying to resurrect his image to make another run at the White House. He twists the truth to make Jed and Leo look bad - C.J. locks out his behavior by threatening to reveal all she knows...which is a lot, considering they had sex once. It's great to have Mr. Matheson back. The D.C. mayor (James Pickens Jr., THE X-FILES) convinces Bartlet to try a school voucher program. Sam Robards (AMERICAN BEAUTY, A.I.) debuts as journalist Greg Brock. He's fine, and he ain't no Danny.
-Epper Si Muove ***
Ellie is targeted by a republican congressperson, for the HPV research she's a part of. Sesame Street visits the White House, to film a segment with Abbie. It gets pretty hysterical. Will must face Russell's sneaky side.
-The Supremes ****
A conservative justice dies of a heart attack. With the republicans controlling congress, the staff bemoans the litany of wishy washy centrists who are approvable. Josh hatches a hare-brained scheme wherein Chief Justice Ashland (the wonderful Milo O'Shea) steps down, allowing Jed to appoint a liberal lion chief justice. The trade-off? Allowing the republicans to name the other seat. Fantastic, gripping, funny...and the liberal lion is played by Glenn Close (THE BIG CHILL, FATAL ATTRACTION). She has wonderful chemistry with, well, everyone, including her ultra-conservative opposite (William Fichtner - ARMAGEDDON, THE PERFECT STORM). It's a banner episode for STAR TREK fans, with appearances by Riker's dad (Mitch Ryan, DHARMA & GREG) and the brilliant Robert Picardo (the doctor, VOYAGER).
-Access *
A fine idea that sinks quicker than a very small rock. Just appallingly off the mark. The only one-star episode in show history, and the only one that made me grimace at the prospect of watching again. A TV documentary crew is allowed to follow C.J. around for an entire day. Wilson Cruz (MY SO-CALLED LIFE, SUPERNOVA) plays one of C.J.'s assistants. Janel Moloney fans will be rewarded with perhaps the best Donna smile in show history.
-Talking Points ***
C.J. tries to get the press corps upset that the FCC is in monopolistic collusion with the major media outlets. Unfortunately, the press corps works for the major media outlets. Josh has his feet taken out from under him by the computer industry shipping 17,000 white collar jobs to India because of a trade agreement he brokered, which breaks a promise Bartlet made to unions. The return of John Amos, for the first time since he left the show to do ALL ABOUT THE ANDERSONS, which ran for all of about, oh, sixteen episodes. The debut of Mary McCormack (PRIVATE PARTS, IN PLAIN SIGHT), who would do 43 episodes as Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper. She would be wonderful...and criminally underused. GALACTICA fans, listen for the voice of Anne Lockhart! The greatest C.J./Ben scene, a painfully realistic rendering of the romantic self-sabotage we all engage in.
-No Exit ****
The White House goes into biohazard lockdown, isolating people in sealed rooms...paging Jean-Paul! Let's take a moment to acknowledge the work of writer Deborah Cahn. Perhaps more than any other single individual, she's the reason why the post-Sorkin era cannot be dismissed. Look up the episodes she penned - it's clear that she captured his voice, and housed that voice in the right settings, far better than the rest (this one followed up "Abu el Banat" and "The Supremes"). This episode is also an object lesson in why the post-Sorkin years partially failed. There wasn't enough advancing of the cast relationships, in the right way, as here. All the concerns about Will being removed from the inner circle are forgotten as he and Toby argue the way to the heart of their conflict. It's so well written that you temporarily forget we never completely buy Will's defection. C.J. and Donna have a scene of unvarnished truth that advances their characters more than the past four seasons combined. Kate's professional standoffishness gets on Josh's nerves. Leo and Abbey are alone in the residence - she pops pills. And the most enjoyable thread of all has Jed, Charlie, and Debbie showering in the basement. The greatest Fiderer episode is just one of the many reasons why this one's brilliant. Plus some Butterfield, Reed Diamond (JUDGING AMY) in the first of three appearances as Dr. Gordon, and a lil' Brent Huff (THE PERILS OF GWENDOLINE IN THE LAND OF THE YIK YAK).
-Gaza ***
Donna, Fitz, and Andy are sent on a fact-finding mission in Gaza. One of their vehicles is detonated by terrorists, leaving Fitz and two congresspersons dead and Donna critically wounded. Insanity erupts, with Leo (and the republicans and most of the democrats) calling for immediate military retaliation, while Jed tries to bring Palestine and Israel to a peace summit. Kate is the only voice in the Sit Room preaching patience. In flashbacks, Donna learns about the horrors of the region, and has a sweet romance with an irish photojournalist (Jason Isaacs - HARRY POTTER, PETER PAN). Josh flies across the Atlantic to be by her side. Farewell, Fitz...we wanted more, not less of you...but this episode hit us right in the stomach, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
-Memorial Day ***
With two men by her bedside, Donna starts to recover...then is back in surgery with a blood clot in her multiply-fractured leg. The rift between Jed and Leo grows, as Israel bombs Gaza and Jed delays a U.S. military retaliation. The President must throw out the first pitch at a major league game...and his athletic prowess is shaky even when he's not wearing a flak jacket. The scene of him practicing pitches in a White House hallway, under the watchful eye of Toby and Charlie, is one of the funnier ones in show history. Jed is halfway to a peace summit...